Political Storm Erupts Over PM SHRI Scheme in Kerala
The Left Democratic Front government in Kerala is facing an intense internal conflict over the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme, with Education Minister V Sivankutty issuing a stark warning about potential financial consequences. The minister stated he should not be held responsible if the Central government withholds funds amounting to Rs 1,300 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Kerala program.
Minister's Warning Over Funding Crisis
The controversy escalated on Thursday when Sivankutty made his position clear regarding the suspended Memorandum of Understanding for the PM SHRI scheme implementation. "Since the state has given a letter to the Union Minister suspending MoU for the scheme, there is uncertainty over release of the SSK fund of Rs 1,300 crore. As the education minister, I would not take responsibility if the fund is not released. Those who need to take the responsibility should take it," Sivankutty declared.
This strong statement came in response to CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam's characterization of the PM SHRI suspension as a political victory for Left politics. Sivankutty countered this perspective, emphasizing that "it is not a matter of success or setback" and rejecting the notion that it represented a victory for any particular side within the coalition.
Ideological Battle Over Education Policy
At the heart of the conflict lies a fundamental ideological disagreement about the National Education Policy and the PM SHRI scheme. Binoy Viswam has consistently argued that the PM SHRI and NEP are interconnected and represent part of a broader attempt to implement the RSS agenda in education.
Viswam responded to Sivankutty's remarks by expressing confusion about why the minister felt provoked. "As the state secretary of CPI, I was not ready for any provocation and my political awareness did not allow it. All should have that political awareness," Viswam stated, while simultaneously describing Sivankutty as a respected leader and able education minister.
The CPI leader suggested that if the Centre denies SSK funds citing the PM SHRI scheme suspension, the Left front should counter it both politically and legally, indicating the potential for prolonged confrontation.
Background of the Controversy
The current crisis has been brewing for years, with Kerala initially reluctant to participate in the PM SHRI scheme, alleging it was a tool for "saffronisation" of education and would bring schools under Central government control. However, in a significant shift last month, the Kerala education department signed the MoU with the Central government.
This move faced immediate opposition from the CPI, which claimed it had not been properly consulted. The pressure resulted in the government suspending the MoU and forming a seven-member Cabinet sub-committee to review the decision. The CPI has interpreted this climbdown as a major political victory within the LDF, where the CPI(M) has traditionally dominated policy decisions.
Although the decision to suspend the MoU was taken last month, the Education department delayed its official communication to the central government, forcing the CPI to mount additional pressure on its coalition partner. The formal communication was finally sent to the central government on Wednesday, setting the stage for the current confrontation over funding.
The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions within Kerala's Left coalition and raises serious questions about the state's education funding future, with Rs 1,300 crore hanging in the balance as political ideologies clash over educational policy.
